A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

Looking at his younger brother, Cao Ang's eyes were somewhat dazed.

He seemed to see that boy again, wielding his brush, writing poetry on horseback, and impromptu verses, a spirited and ambitious young man.

"Congratulations, Zijian, you have found your own path."

"My elder brother will take care of everything at home, so there's nothing to worry about."

"Keep this token; it might come in handy on the road."

Cao Ang took out his token and handed it to Cao Zhi. He knew that with Cao Zhi's talent, his departure would surely shake the world and leave a significant mark on the cultural history of China.

Thinking of this, Cao Ang even felt a pang of envy.

With this departure, Cao Zhi also escaped the power struggles at court.

Cao Ang quickly dismissed that feeling of envy; he was the eldest son, and he had no choice.

Even if he had a choice, he wouldn't give it up. That was the supreme position in the world, and Cao Cao had already given his approval; it was within his grasp.

In the fourth year of Emperor Qianlong's reign, another upheaval occurred in the court.

Over these four years, Cao Pi's power base was constantly being crippled by Cao Ang, leaving him with fewer and fewer options.

Ultimately, he chose to take a risk and assassinate Cao Ang.

Cao Pi used a hidden agent he had planted next to Cao Ang. This agent had been deeply rooted in Cao Ang's side for nearly 20 years. He had planted the agent when Cao Pi was still young, and it was one of Cao Pi's biggest trump cards.

Twenty years later, this spy had infiltrated Cao Ang's personal guard, transmitting countless important intelligence messages to Cao Pi.

Now Cao Pi no longer cared about the loss of exposing this spy. Under his orders, and with the help of the Imperial Guard, this spy successfully poisoned Cao Ang.

Cao Ang did not survive until rescue arrived and was poisoned to death.

After the incident, Cao Cao immediately purged the entire Crown Prince's residence and ordered Cheng Yu and Man Chong to thoroughly investigate the matter.

"Who do you think did this?"

Cao Cao, who was furious outside, changed his expression completely in his study, becoming frighteningly calm.

"Bojing, Wenruo, who do you think the murderer is?"

"Someone from the Crown Prince's residence has confessed that it was Cao Pi. Do you believe them?"

Wei Xue and Xun Yu exchanged a glance. "Your Majesty, do you really believe this confession?"

"Besides this confession, is there any other evidence to prove that the Second Prince was involved in this matter?"

Cao Cao waved his hand forward, and the two men took a few steps forward and stood with Cao Cao.

Cao Cao put his arm around the two men's shoulders, lowered his head, and the three of them began to whisper in each other's ears.

"This is not a matter of belief or disbelief."

"After Zixiu dies, who benefits the most?!"

"Besides Zixiu, whose faction has the largest and deepest influence, and who is most likely to succeed Zixiu as the next emperor?"

The two remained silent. "Prince Pi."

Cao Cao looked at the two men and said, "I checked, and this bodyguard who assassinated Zixiu has actually been by his side for nearly 20 years."

"20 years? 20 years ago, the Second Prince was just a child, wasn't he?"

Xun Yu did some quick calculations, and a storm of emotions surged within him.

"That's right, Ziheng was only 12 years old 20 years ago."

Cao Cao sighed, his heart filled with mixed feelings of pain, regret, reluctance, and a touch of pride.

"Xu Chu, go and capture Cao Pi immediately!"

……

Outside Luoyang city, there is a lake with a bamboo bridge leading directly to a pavilion in the middle of the lake, where Sima Yi is fishing.

Cao Pi hurried forward, his voice urgent, "Sir, sir, something terrible has happened!"

Sima Yi, fishing rod in hand, remained unmoved upon hearing Cao Pi's anxious words, and without turning his head, said, "My lord, why are you so alarmed?"

"Sir, Xu Chu has surrounded my residence with his troops, claiming he is acting on my father's orders to bring me to justice!"

Cao Pi squatted down, tightly grasped Sima Yi's hand, and spoke in an extremely flustered tone.

"What's the charge? His Majesty can't possibly arrest you without a charge!"

Sima Yi remained calm and composed, still staring at the lake surface and watching his fishing float.

"Father suspects, Father suspects that I killed my brother."

"Sir, you know me well. I have always trusted and respected my elder brother. How could I possibly do something so immoral!"

Cao Pi's eyes were red, as if he were truly an innocent child who had been unjustly blamed by his parents.

Sima Yi turned his head and stared straight at Cao Pi with dead fish eyes.

He actually saw Cao Cao's shadow in Cao Pi. He was so shameless and ruthless. No wonder he was the emperor's son.

Cao Pi felt as if he were naked in front of Sima Yi, completely seen through by Sima Yi.

Sima Yi withdrew his gaze and continued to look at the fishing float.

"Sir, what time is it and you're still fishing? If you like fish, I'll have someone buy a whole cartload and bring it to you right now."

Cao Pi was almost frantic with worry, while Sima Yi was still fishing. Fishing, fishing, fishing, why don't you turn into a fish yourself!

Cao Pi cursed inwardly, "That old codger Sima Yi."

"Since this matter was not committed by you, young master, His Majesty will naturally clear your name. Why should you worry so much?"

Sima Yi said calmly.

"It must be a treacherous person in the court causing trouble and slandering me!"

"Sir, the man who came to take me is Xu Chu. Who is Xu Chu? He is my father's most capable general. If my father gives the order, he would not even flinch if it meant killing his own parents."

"For someone to be dispatched like this, I'm afraid... I'm afraid my father has been deceived. My chances of survival are slim!"

"Sir, I'm so confused right now, please tell me what to do!"

Cao Pi looked at Sima Yi as if he were a drowning man grasping at a last straw.

He had done everything perfectly, and everyone who knew about it had been dealt with, so why was his father able to find him so quickly?

The fact that Xu Chu was sent here must mean that they already had accurate evidence; otherwise, they would never have sent Xu Chu.

"Young master, please think carefully."

Having whetted Cao Pi's appetite, Sima Yi then began to offer him advice and strategies.

"What was Xu Chu shouting when he surrounded your residence?"

"What are you shouting?"

Although Cao Pi did not know why Sima Yi asked this question, he still tried hard to recall.

"He was shouting that he was acting on His Majesty's orders to bring Cao Pi to the palace for questioning!"

Sima Yi nodded. As he expected, Cao Pi's actions were very clean.

"Did you hear that clearly? He's taking you to the palace to be questioned, not executing you on the spot. What does that mean?"

Sima Yi didn't wait for Cao Pi to speak before continuing.

"This shows that the Prime Minister still has doubts. He is not sure if you really orchestrated this. Once you reach the palace and meet His Majesty, you will still have a chance."

"I'll ask you one more time: did you orchestrate this? You must tell me the truth, otherwise I can't save you!"

Sima Yi threw down his fishing rod, grabbed Cao Pi by the collar with both hands, and stared intently into Cao Pi's eyes.

Cao Pi showed not a trace of guilt in his eyes, staring intently into Sima Yi's as well. "This matter truly was not done by me; it has absolutely nothing to do with me!"

"If I did this, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"

"Boom!"